Started the year with a glass of bubbles with my favourite people whilst looking out over the city that is now my home again, after 28 years. With 2017 having been a year of change – a lot of change – the aim for 2018 is to have way less change. And instead use it as a year to settle in. Settle in to a new city, a new life, and new routines. Routines that considers my health and lifestyle, and are conscious of the way I lead my life and how it affects the people and planet around me.
New Year’s resolutions are often about things we should stop doing, forcing us to give up various things to potentially become better people. But the new year can instead inspire to a new start, where we get to try new things, continue what we enjoy but may have forgotten recently, or explore what we haven’t been able to before. It should be a time for excitement, to be the person we want to be, rather than pressure to stop doing / being us.
I will continue my journey towards a more conscious lifestyle and I believe the way there is knowledge. So, I will continue reading and learning about our environment, about materials that are kind to it, and about ethical and sustainable business practices.
I will buy less stuff and instead spend more money on experiences. I haven’t been shopping much over the last couple of years, but setting up a new home has definitely meant a recent increase in consumption. And even though it’s mainly been second hand, it’s still consumption of things. But the flat is coming together nicely so in 2018 I will instead look to spend more on holidays and experiences – like exploring the restaurants Stockholm has to offer.
I will get into routines of looking after myself more. I would really like to be a person who can get up every morning and do yoga. And this year, I will properly give it a go. Other 2018 routines will be to take it easy at home, not in front of various sized screens, but by doing things like treating myself to home spa treatments.
I will enjoy what I have. This follows ‘buying less’, as I want to be more conscious of what I do already have and learn how to look after it better. After having decluttered my wardrobe several times in 2017, 2018 will instead be the year of exploring and enjoying what I have. Decluttering makes it so much easier to actually realise what you have and finding those items you like but had forgotten about. But even so, as a creature of habit I tend to stick to whatever’s easiest to find, which is normally whatever I’ve been wearing recently as it’s close at hand when quickly needing to find something in the morning. The new routine for 2018 will therefore be to decide what to wear the night before and hand it out in the room. This will not only save me time in the morning but it will also allow for more creativity, mixing and matching with those items that tend to normally get less attention. Another new routine will also be to be more conscious of how to look after my clothes in an environmentally friendly way. Hang clothes out to get some fresh air rather than to wash, and use wool brushes and other tools to keep clothes look nicer for longer.
Hopefully a good mix of aspirational and practical goals for the new year. What are yours?